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First regional Extended Degree Programme (EDP) seminar held at SU
Author: Claudia Swart-Jansen van Vuuren
Published: 10/06/2019

​​​​​The first in a series of four regional EDP seminars aimed at the four universities in the Western Cape took place at Stellenbosch University (SU) on 30 May. The purpose of the seminars is to bring together colleagues who are involved in EDPs at the respective institutions to exchange ideas and best practice in this field. 

For the first seminar, approximately 40 participants from SU, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) deliberated on the role of mentors and mentees in EDPs.  

Shona Lombard, EDP lecturer from SU's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, initiated the conversation with her presentation “A peer mentoring programme for first-year students on the Extended Degree Programme within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences". Lombard shared information on how the Faculty's peer mentoring programme had been developed over the past few years, as well as lessons learnt during that time. One of the Faculty's EDP students, Austin Pepar, then told the audience his inspiring story. This was followed by questions and discussion based on Lombard's presentation.

Next, Ilze Gelderblom, coordinator of student affairs in SU's Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), shed light on how her faculty provided support to all first-year students through its mentoring programme. Dr Sharon Malan, EMS's EDP programme leader, gave an overview of feedback received from EDP students about the programme. She also shared how the Faculty's “value-added" programme assisted EDP students.

Another SU representative, Magriet de Villiers, academic development coordinator in the Faculty of Theology, explained Theology's context by outlining the Faculty's historical background and “journey to today". Student Jaylee Gertse then joined the conversation and explained the role of the Theological Student Committee in supporting EDP students. De Villiers also invited input and suggestions that Theology could use in developing its mentor programme. 

Another three regional seminars are planned for the year, one at each of the other Western Cape institutions.

 

Contact person: Claudia Swart (claudias2@sun.ac.za)